Last week I crocheted a cherry garland for Valentine’s Day. I picked up the kit from Homegoods and it ended up taking 10 hours to make.

And as I watched the Olympics and stitched the leaves only to unravel them because they looked too wonky, I wondered why I’m doing this? I could’ve bought a way more perfect looking garland by now.

But deep down I knew there was something so satisfying about making things with my hands even if they’re imperfect. It gets me in touch with my inner child, who made elaborate crafts for the fun of it.

I believe the growing interest in hobbies and analog living is pointing us back to how we were designed to live. It’s revealing that innate calling in all of us to create, not for the performance but for the joy of being present.

And when I look at this little cherry garland, I can almost heart God whispering, “It is good.”